Chris Lombardi puts defense and security under the spotlight, as he shares his takes on recent NATO and EU cooperation and provides insight into the company’s own long-term strategic partnerships in Europe.

Three trends are currently driving the global electricity sector: decarbonization, decentralization and differentiation. Utilities are making significant contributions to mitigate carbon emissions, while a technology revolution is …

The downward spiral of health inequality

Smarter analysis is needed to meet the challenges in health inequalities, according to Harry Burns, professor of global health at the University of Strathclyde. He criticises a widespread tendency to oversimplify the problem, and consequently to apply conventional – but often irrelevant – thinking to the search for solutions.

Using the example of Scotland, he says that health inequality there is not primarily due to conventional risk factors. It is not true that the Scots are unhealthy because they smoke a lot, eat the wrong kind of food, or drink too much. The underlying causes of ill-health and health inequalities can be found in cycles of deprivation. A chaotic childhood is associated with unequal outcomes in terms of health, education and offending, with consequences linked to poverty and unemployment – in turn, tending to reinforce a negative cycle.

To counteract those factors, it makes sense to promote their opposites: wellness is associated with an optimistic outlook, a sense of control and of purpose and meaning in life, and confidence in the ability to deal with problems – often assisted by a supportive network of people and a nurturing family. So directing attention just at targets derived from pre-conceptions (and misconceptions) is not going to be effective in trying to narrow inequality.

Instead, Burns says, a broader approach aimed at a transformation of society would stand more chance of success. Early years experience is one of the key factors in building resilience and wellbeing in later life, he says. Raising attainment at school, reducing offending and reoffending, or reducing dependency in the elderly are more effective measures than focusing on alcohol intake or drug abuse.

A Biologist and Oxford PhD student, Inés Dawson is a YouTuber who’s passionate about science. To discover what influence the 4 dimensions of curiosity can have on science and technology, we sent her on a trip to meet some curious minds.